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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

West Ham United are keen to sign Mario Mandzukic from Juventus in the January transfer window, per The Daily Mirror.

What’s the word?

The Croatia international was heavily linked with a move away from the Serie A giants in the summer transfer window, with Manchester United reportedly interested.

No deal was struck, however, though the Hammers could give him the opportunity to move to England at the turn of the year, per the report.

Indeed, Manuel Pellegrini is short of options up front; Sebastian Haller and Albian Ajeti are their only two out-and-out forwards after Javier Hernandez, Marko Arnautovic, Lucas Perez and Andy Carroll were all allowed to leave in the summer.

Mandzukic has yet to play for Juventus in Serie A this season.

Ageing striker

There’s not much sense to this.

Mandzukic might be a proven goalscorer – he has scored 44 goals for Juve in 162 appearances and also netted 53 for Dinamo Zagreb and 48 for Bayern Munich in 112 and 88 games respectively – but he is also ageing.

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He will turn 34 next year and one has to wonder whether or not it is worth the Hammers splashing out on a player who is edging nearer and nearer to retirement.

Their recruitment in the summer was smart, with the acquisitions of Sebastian Haller and Pablo Fornals adding excitement and star quality, plus the promise of improvement.

Bringing in Mandzukic would do the very opposite of that, even if it did plug a hole in the squad.

They should be looking elsewhere.

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West Ham United midfielder Jack Wilshere has insisted that the Hammers will move on quickly from their 5-0 loss to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.

It was far from an ideal start to the season for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who will be looking to put things right when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.

Wilshere has claimed that the City game is now gone and the team are fully focused on their trip to Brighton on Saturday.

However, the midfielder’s words have not exactly gone down terrifically well with the West Ham fans, who have heard it all before.

Interviews where footballers apologise to the fans and vow to move on quickly have become rife on social media in recent years.

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And it would be fair to say that the London club’s supporters want a performance this weekend rather than potentially empty words in the build-up.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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Yesterday’s Newcastle transfer roundup contained the confirmed departure of a Spaniard, news on one of the club’s midfielders and the completed loan exit of a 22-year-old. Today’s edition features an update on the reported takeover, interest in a former Sunderland striker and La Liga talks in regards to the sale of a forward.

Bin Zayed group yet to make offer

According to The Chronicle’s Live Blog (10:10, 05/07), no bid for Newcastle United from the Bin Zayed group has been tabled. Reports from May had suggested that a deal had been agreed between Mike Ashley and the potential new owners, but that now appears not to be the case.

Newcastle looking at Borini

Italian journalist Nicolo Schira is reporting that the Toon are interested in signing former Chelsea and Swansea attacker Fabio Borini. The 28-year-old is reportedly not in AC Milan manager Marco Giampaolo’s plans, and Newcastle are joined by Bordeaux in eyeing the Italian international. However, the €2.5m (£2.24m)-a-season wages could be an issue. Borini scored five times for Milan last season.

Advanced talks for Joselu

Deportivo Alaves are in advanced talks to sign Joselu according to Mundo Deportivo. The German-born former Real Madrid forward, who measures in at 6 foot 4, was signed from Stoke City in 2017 but has scored just seven goals in 52 appearances for the North East outfit.

كشف أيمن عبد العزيز مساعد رئيس قطاع الناشئين بنادي الزمالك، حقيقة مشادته داخل مقر القلعة البيضاء مع أحد العمال، ويوضح هل صدر قرار برحيله عن منصبه.

وقال عبد العزيز خلال تصريحات لبرنامج “نمبر وان” على قناة “النهار”: “كل ما تردد لا أعرف عنه أي شيء، ولا يوجد أي احتكاك مع حد”.

وتابع: “أستغرب من تلك الأنباء، ولم يبلغني أي أحد من الزمالك بالرحيل ومستمر في منصبي وكنت في النادي أمس”.

طالع | خالد الغندور: حسام حسن موافق على الانتقال للزمالك.. ويوجه سؤالًا لـ فرج عامر

ويستعد الزمالك لمواجهة غزل المحلة، يوم الثلاثاء المقبل، في إطار الجولة الـ11 من عمر بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويتصدر الزمالك ترتيب جدول الدوري المصري، برصيد 23 نقطة. 

Tottenham Hotspur have made an offer to sign Dinamo Zagreb’s Dani Olmo this summer, according to Radioestadio.

The Spanish media outlet have claimed on their Twitter page that Spurs have tabled a bid of €30million (£27m) for the 21-year-old and would be prepared to give him a five-year contract worth €2m (£1.8m) a year.

However, Radioestadio also appear to suggest that Tottenham may not have it easy in the race for the attacking midfielder.

They have also made the claim that Olmo is awaiting offers from Spain as well as he could look to return to his homeland instead.

Olmo certainly looks to be a bright prospect in the future, especially after his showing in the Under-21 European Championships success this summer. The Zagreb man was hugely influential in the final third of the pitch and was fairly lethal.

According to stats by WhoScored, he finished the competition with three goals and one assist, averaging a total of four shots per match, two key passes and a completion rate of 1.8 dribbles.

Delving further into his stats though, it should not come as a surprise, as he has proven he has the quality to succeed in front of goal, as he netted 12 goals and provided eight assists in 44 matchesÂacross all competitions, including European competitions such as the Champions League and Europa League.

The 21-year-old is incredibly versatile, as pointed out by Transfermarkt, and could offer Mauricio Pochettino’s side plenty of options moving forward if he were to be signed and would add the goal threat that has clearly been missed from the middle of the park. Christian Eriksen was the only one to reach double figures from that area of the pitch last season.

However, with Olmo allegedly waiting for offers from Spain to happen, it will be interesting to see where Tottenham find themselves in the race for his signature.

Tottenham fans, would you like to see Olmo at the club this summer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

There are certain players who feel like they have been around for an absolute lifetime and former Crystal Palace man Victor Moses is one of them.

Fans outside of Selhurst Park would be forgiven for forgetting that, once upon a time, Victor Moses turned out for the Eagles. And we say that because, as eluded to above, it feels like he has been around for an absolute lifetime.

Moses was handed his debut against Cardiff City as a fresh-faced 16-year-old in November 2007 and went on to play an extraordinarily key role in their climb towards the much-revered play-offs in his first season. Some of the more weathered and experienced fans amongst you may remember the days of the Football League Show, which aired on Saturday nights (we miss you). Indeed, a run of six goals in eight games in 2010 would’ve likely made Steve Claridge and co explode.

Moses donned all the typical characteristics you’d expect from a young player bundling their way onto the professional scene. Quick, powerful, brave and effective – is the kind of generic drivel we hate to produce, but in the Nigerian’s case, it rang so very true.

Sadly, with financial issues rife and Palace’s future uncertain, Moses’ head was turned when the mighty Wigan came knocking in the summer of 2010 – which shows just how far Palace have come in the past few years. Imagine making that move now. Jeepers.

Despite struggling to reach anywhere near the form showed at former club, Moses somehow attracted the attention of Chelsea. And when we say somehow, what we really mean is that the Blues were more than likely trying to fill their quota of homegrown talents.

Anyone who knows anything about football will know that Stamford Bridge isn’t exactly the safest choice for youngsters, and Moses sadly fell victim to this trend. One disastrous loan spell after another, Moses found himself making temporary moves around the country before, somehow, breaking into the first-team under Antonio Conte and earning himself a Premier League trophy as a converted wing back in the process.

The dream didn’t last too long, though. With the arrival of Sarri came a new system, and before Moses could plea “b-b-but…Antonio liked me!” he was warming the Stamford Bridge bench.

Moses escaped the club in January to join Turkish side Fenerbahçe, and though he is due to return in the summer, we doubt very much that there is a place for him back in the squad.

Palace fans, what are your standout memories of Victor Moses? Let us know in the comments below…

When it comes to Arsenal and central midfielders, the club seems to have a never-ending stockpile of players to fit that position.

The Gunners have been synonymous with the position over the past few years, largely down to Arsene Wenger’s near obsession with signing players who could fit the bill to thrive in the role and yet only managing to have a few hits in his final seasons as Arsenal manager, and so far in the Unai Emery-era, it’s been two success’ out of two.

Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira joined the club last year as some of Emery’s first few signings at Arsenal and both have been big hits in north London, with the French youngster looking to be the future of the club whereas the former Sampdoria enforced has filled a hole in the team that has needed attention for a while, and now even more midfielders have been rumoured with a move.

According to CalcioMercato, the Gunners are interested in Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella who is also on the radar for Chelsea and Inter Milan, and although the Italian international would be a good fit for Arsenal, it would only do more bad than good at the club.

With Guendouzi impressing after his first season in north London and Granit Xhaka likely to remain at Arsenal, Barella would be joining a club where competition for places is fierce and realistically the promising midfielder won’t be guaranteed a starting place every week especially with how highly Emery rates the French 20-year-old.

Barella has a big future in the game, but moving to Arsenal would be a poor decision for both player and club as the Gunners should be focusing their attention elsewhere this summer as well as looking to improve what they already have at the club.

Arsenal fans, should the club avoid central midfield signings this summer? Let us know!

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There have never been any doubts about Wilfried Zaha’s ability on the pitch, although major red flags have arisen in his game at times this season that might dissuade some clubs from shelling out the big bucks for his services, ultimately costing him a dream second-chance at European football.

The spellbinding winger has a reputation – deserved or otherwise – for diving and his frustration at not being awarded fouls often leads him to charge down the offender and commit a foul in turn, which he has been typically booked for himself.

It has taken the 26-year-old far too long to realise that his opponents’ unlawful attempts to stop him is a somewhat warped sign of respect for his abilities and that, in rising to their antagonistic exploits, his petulance can cost his team when it matters.

Of course, the number 11’s frustration is understandable, but his sarcastic clapping of Andre Marriner which led to a red card against Southampton on 30th January is inexcusable and an undeniable low-point of an otherwise exemplary campaign.

The talisman’s one-game suspension thereafter seems to have served its purpose in teaching him a lesson though.

Zaha has been in sensational form ever since he collected that red card, chalking up six goals and three assists. Meanwhile, he has been booked just once, compared to seven cautions before that – a pivotal change in his season.

Many football fans dread the transfer window. The Pl>ymaker FC squad name who they’re worried about losing this summer in the video below…

Now the Ivorian seems to understand what it means when he’s kicked all over the park and when he keeps his cool he can can be unplayable, so long may it continue. His 3.7 dribbles per game since the end of January compared to 3.2 dribbles before then shows that this change in attitude has improved his performances even in the area most regard as his strongest.

Palace reportedly value their star man at £75-£80m and, since he’s cut out his petulant antics and become resilient, the tricky speedster has become worth every penny, if not to his potential suitors then the Eagles at least.

Zaha is their attacking soul and with his temper no longer a weakness, the damage he can do on the pitch knows no limits, as Cardiff found out to their detriment on Saturday.

Whether or not the likes of Arsenal and Spurs are willing to cough up that eye-watering sum, Palace shouldn’t budge on their valuation.

It is Europa League football for Manchester United next season and, after their 1-1 draw with bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield Town, it is what they deserve.

Those were, in essence, the words of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the Red Devils boss not holding any punches at the end of that game at the John Smith’s Stadium.

“The Europa League next year is the right place to be for us,” the 46-year-old was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

Solskjaer was not the only one who did not hold back with his assessment of things, though, with Gary Neville having also been left far from impressed with how his former side’s season has gone.

“This is Huddersfield Town who have struggled all season. You watch them, they haven’t got the quality, but I like watching them a lot more than the ones in the red shirts, to be honest,” Neville told Sky Sports.

“At least you can identify with them. There’s nothing I like about this United team at all. It’s just awful. Look at them. They’re the most despondent group of people.”

And it is not hard to see where the former England defender is coming from. Since falling away after their impressive start under Solskjaer, this Manchester United side have shown no likeable qualities as a team.

They do not defend well, they screw up too many attacks and cannot control games in the way you would expect an outfit of their calibre to.

It is strange, because for all of the deadwood the club do have, they also have some very good footballers at disposal such as Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial, though the latter has been struggling for fitness of late.

Whatever the case, next season, something has to change at Old Trafford. And with the summer transfer window they could possibly be about to have, you would expect things to.

It was a disastrous Easter weekend for Leeds, wasn’t it Whites fans?

Marcelo Bielsa’s side had held a three-point advantage over Sheffield United going into Friday’s fixtures yet following their automatic promotion rivals’ 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest, the pressure to respond in their clash with Wigan proved to be too much.

Despite their opponents having a man sent off in the first-half and Patrick Bamford giving his side the lead, the Whites inexplicably capitulated, conceding goals either side of half-time at Elland Road. Although Leeds would have 36 shots in their clash with the Latics, a worrying lack of composure resulted in them losing ground on the Blades.

Rather than simply being a one-off, Bielsa’s men replicated their poor showing against Wigan on Monday when they faced Brentford at Griffin Park. Despite dominating possession, the Whites were hit twice on the counter-attack by the Bees who put a huge dent in their hopes of securing a top-two finish in May.

With Leeds now three points behind Chris Wilder’s Blades, it is surely time to throw caution at the wind and start Kemar Roofe against Aston Villa next Saturday.

The 26-year-old has not started for the club since suffering ligament damage in his knee during a 2-1 victory over Swansea City in February yet has made five substitute appearances since returning to action earlier this month.

Arguably the club’s best attacking outlet having scored 14 goals in the second tier this season, Roofe has the ability to turn a game on its head and will be needed if his side are to overcome a Lions side, who are in red hot form.

With the former Oxford United ace being able to play on the wing as well as up-front, he could be brought in to replace a number of players who have underperformed in recent weeks.

What do you think Leeds fans? Should Roofe start against Villa? Or is it not worth risking the forward with the prospect of play-offs just over the horizon?